In 2022, the Lee's Summit Missouri Police Department began a search for a curriculum to replace the D.A.R.E. program that had been taught in schools for decades. When a suitable "off the shelf" replacement could not be found, the officers assigned to the unit decided to develop a new and unique curriculum. Over the course of several months the officers worked with the R-7 School District, community stakeholders and students to create a new program for elementary instruction. The result of their efforts would produce the IMPACT program. The complted curriculum was presented to the R-7 School Board for approval and officers began teaching the new lessons in the Fall of 2022. The new IMPACT program also has an official mascot, "Copper" the police dog!
The traditional D.A.R.E. curriculum will still be taught within the Blue Springs school campuses that are located within the city limits of Lee's Summit.
In addition to the normal IMPACT lessons, D.A.R.E. officers make countless appearances at community events and teach safety lessons throughout the community to children of all ages. They often visit childcare providers, and attend neighborhood events. The officers of the unit are listed below, you can contact any of them by clicking on their name below their photograph and sending them an email.
Amanda Geno
Beth Glover
Larry Jones
Steve Crume
"Copper" the IMPACT Mascot